I’m thrilled to say, I have finally been united with these booties. It’s a rather touching love story really…

At an outlet mall with my mom last month, we popped into the The Bay outlet. I don’t usually find anything in there, but something drew me in. Shoe serendipity maybe? As I glanced towards the size 8 shoe rack, I spotted the logo. I froze. Could it be? Were these THE boots? And 40 percent off??

I lunged and grabbed the box from the shelf. Like a post–ball Cinderella, I slipped one on my foot and prayed it would fit. It did. With the second one on, I paraded back and forth in front of the mirror.

Then I marched across the store in the boots…MY boots (well, as soon as I paid for them it would be official) in search of my mom. “Ahem. Ahem.” I coughed to get her attention.

No reaction.

So I ahemed again while dramatically pointing to my feet.

“Are those THE boots?!” she asked. Sadly my close relations are all fully aware of my obsession with this footwear. It’s ridiculous.

My husband thinks I’m nuts when I say that shoes/boots are an investment, but I stand by my claim. Especially when it comes to pricey classics like these. I’ll have them for years to come.

So, I plan to treat them right by treating them right.

This is where the Tana shoe care specialist steps in… (in her cute shoes) to teach me how to treat my boots.

I met with Aisha at Stance Shoes and she walked me through the products that will protect my babies. Did I say babies? I meant my babies. Er, my boots.

Of course, if you mess up and muck up your shoes, don’t freak. The damage can

be undone. Read this post about “Giving Old Skin The Boot” and learn how to restore your shoes, boots, bags and belts to “like new” condition.

However, if you want to ensure your favourite footwear looks great for millions of steps, protect them from the start. And maybe sleep with them under your bed in case of boot burglars.

Shoes are sexy. Shoe care products? Maybe not so much. But, they’re sensible and smart. And THAT is what this post is about.

Confession: Until a few years ago, whenever a shoe retailer would ask me at the point of sale if I wanted to add a can of shoe protector spray to my purchase I would give them a side-eye and be all like, “Ya, no. I’m good.” I assumed they were just trying to up-sell me.

Not so.

A can of shoe protector spray is a few bucks. But my nubuck Uggs were a lotta of new bucks. I didn’t protect them and after a harsh winter, they looked awful. I was able to rescue them using the right products, but I was never able to completely restore them to their original salt-stain-free state. #UggUgh

Tana.comhas all kinds of products to help you keep your shoes, boots, belts, and purses looking great. I sprayed my new boots with Tana All Protector spray to protect them from the elements. And I’ll treat them a few times over the season to keep them boot-iful.

To get the info out there so people can protect their shoe investments (I still stand by my claim despite my husband’s eye rolling) Tana is offering three ways to learn more about what their products can do AND they are providing some pretty amazing prizes in the process!You can WIN big with Tana by:

1. Entering the Tana “Weather The Winter” contest for a chance to win 1 of 5 Bi-weekly Prizes of $500 and the Grand Prize of $2000! That’s a whole lotta shoes right there. And again, you can’t win if you don’t enter.

2. Showing off your shoe love by playing a little game of “shoe & tell!” Post a pic of your favourite footwear on Instagram with the hashtag #TanaLovesShoes and you’ll be entered to win weekly Tana Shoe Product prizes! (Bonus points if you include Tana shoe products in your photo submission.)

So before winter unleashes its fury on us, protect your favourite shoes and boots!

Disclosure: I am taking part in the #TanaLovesShoes program. Though I am receiving compensation for my participation, the advice, the opinions and the obvious affection for my new boots and the dedication to their longevity are sincere.

The conversation about this post is on Facebook right HERE. C’mon over! I’ll make mojitos. Or tea. Depending on what time it is when you stop by.